Username:Lon'quName:Seger (pronounced SEE-ger)I got the inspiration for this name by a song I was listening to as I came up with the name. Because of this specific song, I was able to think of a name, gender and vivid personality for Seger.
Seger is named after Bob Seger. I was specifically listening to his song "Turn the Page".
Gender:MaleI honestly could see both genders in this Shionnix, but I often tend to bond with male characters. I wish to do everything I can to be active with my first Shionnix, mostly because I recently took a liking to them. This is why I specifically chose this gender.
Overall, I decided that the dark and mysterious colors would go better with a male. I also think the personality I had in mind would suit a 'him' better.
Personality:Musical-Seger enjoys using his deep and majestic voice to his advantage. Although he doesn't like being seen as he does it, he often chirps in a howling manner high up in the shaded trees away from the rest of the pack. Many times others will hear his beautiful voice, but will not be able to pinpoint where or who the melodies are coming from. He uses his mysterious voice to spread his emotions with the rest of his pack.
Dark-Not many know of Seger's musical talent. When he is around others, Seger has no emotion to show unless you force it from him. His shadowy, dark appearance makes other feel unwelcomed when talking to him, so no one really tries to find out what's wrong with him.
Deep/Sentimental-Seger has few friends from his pack. He may have a few aquaintences or hunting companions, but not many friends. If he were to receive a gift from anyone, he will likely try to find the meaning of the item and keep it with him forever.
Lonely-Although Seger seems disturbed when in deep thought, he is truly lonely. His music often reflects his inner emotions, and most of the time it is sadness and, ultimately, loneliness. Perhaps a few others from his pack see his true nature, but are too intimidated by his dark aura to do anything to help.
Misunderstood-Seger is know to be dark, mysterious, and somewhat disturbed in other Shionnixs' eyes. However, this is not the case at all. Only a truly patient, courageous and loving Shionnix will understand that Seger is truly magnificent and caring. He enjoys finding meanings in everything and letting all of his negative and lonely emotions out through songs. This way, he is only happy and caring when he is with others from his pack. Seger is quite the opposite of what everyone seems to think of him, and he surely makes a good companion with a heart and mind of gold.
Story:Highway to a Dead EndIt was a gorgeously moonlit night. The only thing in my mind this evening was to hum another song. I took a deep breath, and exhaled with satisfaction of the crisp air. Spreading my wings, I took flight to the highest, shadiest tree where I can see only the moon.
I began my tune, very quietly at first. As I got used to my own voice, I chirped louder, howled deeper and let my heart out. I stayed up in my perch for almost an hour, as I can tell the moon moved significantly since I started.
I heard a sound from below. Another Shionnix. I could hear the plush paw pads of someone from another pack approaching my tree. Swiftly, I glided down, and landed just a yard or so behind the fellow creature.
It was Azura. A beautiful lavender and black female Shionnix, and certainly pleasant to the eye. She turned, startled by my presence. "What are you doing here?"
My head was dipped low, and I seemed to stare into her sapphire eyes with something evil in my own. Shaking my head, I smiled as serenely as I could muster, still a bit shaky that someone almost found me singing. "Azura, I wasn't doing a thing." I let my voice flow through the air like the music I play.
"Where you looking for that magnificent sound also?" She replied a bit blandly.
"Sound?"
"Someone was singing. It was like a band of Seraphim." Suddenly her gaze turned precious. She truly thought my singing was good. I couldn't seem to understand how though. I was barely trying.
"Er, Azura, I uh... yes, I was looking for the one singing." I stood up straight now, and lied through my teeth. I didn't want anyone to know it was me. I didn't want them to think I was feminine or depressed in any way.
I began to walk away, hoping to just forget about the conversation when she stopped me. "Seger. Um... would you perhaps guide me back to my pack? The singer seemed to disappear, and that means he might be stalking us now." She laughed a bit, obviously nervous that someone may now be watching us. I let out a weak sigh, and gave her the signal to fallow me.
Azura lived on the same island as my own pack. Her nest was low to the ground and surprisingly sturdy. In fact, it was more than stable enough to hold two. I didn't know Azura well, but the sun had set long ago and I was simply exhausted. Although I felt drained of all energy, I was happy to have gotten my emotions out through my melody earlier in the night. I figured it was best for me to stay with this fae than to go off on my own back to my own nest. "Azura?"
"Yes?" The young female Shionnix replied in surprise as she nestled in. She looked at me and made me feel I could ask her anything.
"My nest is far from here." I felt it would have been rude to just ask if I could stay with her for the night. However, she sought out exactly what I wanted.
"You can stay here if you'd like." Her tender smile was as soft as her lavender pelt. I had to smile back, almost by instinct. That night, I kept my distance so I wouldn't make the sweet girl uncomfortable. With no loneliness in my soul, and a new friend at my side, I was able to sleep extraordinarily well.
I woke up rather late the next day to an unusual squeezing around my neck. I stretched out, and tilted my muzzle down as low as my stiff neck would allow, to see an orange object wrapped around my throat.
"I made that for you, Seger." I heard Azura from up in a branch, not far above the nest. "It's a collar! I made it out of mammal skins and berry juices. I wanted to thank you for bringing me home safe last night."
I looked down again at the accessory. It must have taken her hours to do. I did like it, nonetheless and rolled over on my back playfully. "Thank you Azura." I smiled and stretched once more.
It took a while to get used to the band. At first, it strangled me, but now it seems to have loosened up a bit.
The sun was directly overhead when I finally couldn't stand the nest anymore. I had to hunt, and get the air through my feathers. I offered to let Azura fallow me, and we both set off to hunt for small game.
The cool afternoon mist streaked over my fur. Azura and I must have really glistened in the sunlight. Near the waterfall on one of our smaller islands, I saw some small rodent-like creatures with bright fur running around. I skydived lower and lower, coming in for my kill, and, ultimately, showing off for my new friend. With a widely spread jaw, I picked up one the unsuspecting creatures in my mouth and landed on a rock on the side of the waterfall. Azura landed on the opposite side and smiled serenely. It amazed me how much a friend could mean after just one day. She hopped upon the rocks, almost skipping from one to the next, until she got to me. We ate well, and left nothing but skin and bones of our lunch.
I decided afterwards to say farewell to Azura. It was time I got back home and sing another song. This time of happiness. I wanted to share with my pack all the good things that happened today, even if they had no idea it was me.
I sang up in the same tree, letting the melody pour from me like words do from everyone else. When I heard a familiar laugh, I stopped.
Looking around, I noticed Azura, and another male Shionnix that I did not recognize. Apparently, they were friends, but this seemed different from any normal friendship.
I couldn't lose my only friend. This male would take her from me in a heartbeat if I just sat back and did nothing. I swooped down, my feathers falling to the ground below like needles in anger. The flirty male didn't know what hit him when I aerial bombed him with my own body.
Although this brawl lasted only a minute or so, it gave myself and my competitor enough of a blood bath to remember it. I had to thank my hind legs, if it weren't for them being so plump with muscle, I could have very well been killed in the fight. He got me good on the ribs, and if I hadn't worn the collar that Azura gave me, my neck would have been sliced clean. I was able to fend him off long enough to make him retreat, and forfeiting Azura to me.
Azura...
Jealousy was one thing I never felt before. However, I now realized that this friendship was too powerful and too young for me to give up on it too quickly. I felt as if it were instinct to defend the girl who had no mate from any males who tried to change that. I wanted to wait until we had our chance to bond. Perhaps I would make her mine in the future?
My thoughts were shattered at the whimpering of Azura. I saw the fear in forms of tears welled up in her eyes.
"Azura? What's the matter? Wasn't that the right thing to do?"
It was my turn to feel fear now...
Azura told me her true feelings for me. She only pitied me because I was lonely. Because I had no other friends and I always looked depressed. She stayed with me for a day, and planned never to look upon me again afterwards.
"But why? I never asked for pity, Azura."
She couldn't reply. She didn't like me as I did her. In fact, it seems she suddenly hated me after I chased away the other brute.
...
It had been almost seven moons since that incident. I don't know if I regret what I did, or if I did the right thing. If I hadn't done it, I would not know what Azura thought. I was more confused and lonely than ever. I hadn't sang a song in three moons. I had no melody for confusion.
I shook off my pelt the next morning and decided to drag myself on to hunt. The sky was a misty gray, and the dew still fell through the air like snow. A light rain shower seemed refreshing.
I took flight into the sunrise, which seemed white against the horizon with only gray above it. I saw many animals in their nests, all seeming so peaceful. For once, I decided not to harm any of them. Not even for my own food. I couldn't hurt the family of rodents, snuggled together in a hollowed tree, or the little hooved mammals, a mother and child, that I saw running for shelter from the drizzle.
Instead I landed up on the cliff of the waterfall, where I shared my only meal with Azura. The bones still laid in tact from that day. Looking away, I saw the largest island, where myself and my pack resided.
I started with a jump before I turned around. A Shionnix landed loudly right behind me. The gust of it's wings blew my pelt. "Azura?" I said more angry than surprised.
"Seger, I've been thinking. Well, feeling..."
I didn't respond. Instead I stared at her with a fired glare.
"Since that day, well, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I don't think I meant what I said. You know, about not caring for you."
I saw her look at the marks upon my ribcage. "The cuts are not as painful as the scars they leave behind." Turning my back to the lavender fae, I stared back at the floating island.
We both paused now. I could hear the rain snap at us as it poured harder. "I see you kept the collar I made you."
"It's a reminder of the friendship we once had."
"We
once had? It doesn't have to end there. I'm sorry, Seger. But I know now that I didn't pretend to like you; it was real. And I don't pity you. I have no reason to. You have a friend, right?"
I stood tall and let the rain hit me. I rather enjoyed it, since now no one would realize I was crying. However, I knew that I could never like Azura as I did seven moons ago. I stared in silence, and that be my answer.
Art:By me!
By Haestine!
Little Details:Build-Seger has a slender body with muscular wings and legs. His muzzle is thick and doesn't seem to match his thin chest and neck. He is strong where he needs to be, and beautifully elegant at the same time.
He weighs an average size and stands taller than many Shionnix, but is not too towering.
Pelt-Seger has a soft coat like all Shionnixes, but his feathers are a bit more rough than many males'. Altogether, he is still smooth pelted and takes good care of his feathers. His body colors are odd compared to most Shionnixes; Seger consists of darker and mostly natural colors (excluding the bright scarlet red). He also has a natural design, where most Shionnixes have vivid, bright and detailed coats.
Gait-Seger steps differently based on his mood. Like his voice, his walking is also musical, in a sense. When unhappy or excessively lonely, Seger will walk with his head held low and he makes heavier steps when he moves. However, if Seger is having a fine day, he walks with a proud stance and a puffed chest, as if he were proud of something significant. It is very easy to tell how Seger feels based on his gait.
Accessory:Hidden Cities wrote:Accessories are allowed, but it's mostly natural stuff. They can have necklaces, piercings, armor, ribbons, goggles (if you can get them to wear them), feathers. It's basically stuff that they'd let you put on them. So wigs or clothes are probably a no-go :T
I wanted to give Seger a beautiful orange, leather collar to compliment his pumpkin eyes. I want to keep it simple, because his own design isn't overly detailed. I just need a little something to make him "pop" even more than he does.
This specific accessory is simple orange leather, like a standard dog collar. However, there is a brilliantly gleaming silver chain hanging from the buckle part. If I happen to win this Shionnix, I will draw the accessory on his reference.
Image (found on google)
